Funeral services for Wilma May McKee, 96 year-old Weatherford resident, will be held Saturday, November 6, 2021, 10:00 A.M. at Bethel Mennonite Church in Hydro with Steve Entz officiating.  Burial will follow at Bethel Mennonite Cemetery under the direction of Lockstone Funeral Home.

Wilma May McKee was born March 30, 1925 to John Abraham and Elsie Bertha (Ewy) Entz.  Wilma was born on the Svec farm which was located just north of the Bethel Mennonite Church, southeast of Hydro. Her two older siblings, Clara and Harold, were also born at this homestead.  In 1926, the Entz family moved to the Rio Grande Valley and later to Edinburg, Texas.  After several years the family got lonesome for Oklahoma and moved home, where the youngest of Wilma's siblings were born, Clayton and Roy.  The family eventually purchased and settled on the Funck farm, west of Ghost Mound in 1938.  Wilma was baptized as a believer and follower of Jesus Christ at Bethel Mennonite Church on June 12, 1938.  During these years Wilma attended country schools at Praire View and Mound Valley. During her high school years, she attended Eakly High School and her junior and senior years at Colony High School, graduating in May 1943.  Wilma won top academic awards during school and was considered a gifted writer.  With the eventual blessing of her parents, in the summer of 1943, Wilma attended Cameron Junior College graduating from there in the spring of 1945 with a teaching degree.  She began her career in education in 1945, teaching all eight grades at Mound Valley School.  Wilma married Robert F. (Stub) McKee May 25, 1947.  They lived on several farms until buying a home in Hydro in 1956. Wilma supported her husband as he was a printer for the Hydro Review and a renowned windmill repairman to all of western Oklahoma.  During this time, Wilma also taught at Geary Public School and in 1959 started her own private kindergarten in her home which she continued for the next 11 years.  In 1970, Wilma was hired as kindergarten teacher by Hydro Public Schools where she continued teaching until her retirement in 1990 – 36 years in education. If you were a student of Wilma McKee you learned most importantly, kindness to others, acceptance, fairness, an appreciation for birdwatching and all animals, and that you are loved and valued.

Wilma was a life long learner and writer.  She completed her bachelor's degree in education at Southwestern Oklahoma State College and a master's degree in Guidance and Counseling at Southwestern Oklahoma State University.  She is the author of several books, including The Valued Child – Developmental Stages of Children , Heritage Celebrations , Growing Faith – a history of General Conference Mennonites in Oklahoma, Retreat Celebrations of 50 ^th Anniversary, Jubilee Sunday School curriculum, Mckee-Brown Genealogy and John and Elsie Entz Family History. Her latest accomplishment was her autobiography written at age 90 – on a computer! The book titled, My Times are In Your Hands is the story of Gods faithfulness and love to her as she turns to Him throughout life's highs and lows.  Wilma was an active member of Bethel Mennonite Church serving on committees locally and for Western District General Conference of Mennonite churches.  She had a special interest in writing history and because of this gift she shared we are able to be witness to God's faithfulness throughout generations.

Wilma was always ready to answer the call to the Lord's service.  In 1965, Wilma was appointed to the Oklahoma Mennonite Retreat committee.  Helping young people understand God's love for them and salvation through Jesus Christ was a life's work for Wilma. She served at retreats until the age of 80 in many capacities, most importantly as retreat director, curriculum writer, counselor and resource speaker.  Many lives were impacted for the Lord.  Her service did not end when she entered Weatherwood Assisted Living in 2013.  The teacher continued to teach and she continued to lead others to the Lord. She led a Book Study group in which she read books to residents, she wrote a monthly article for the Weatherwood Assisted Living newspaper called Words with Wilma, and she facilitated a small group discussion every week where residents could share with each other about their lives called Talk Time with Wilma. Wilma was very grateful for the loving care and friendships that she had while living at Weatherwood.

Wilma's Grandma Ewy wrote the following words to her when she was in college, "May you be happy, contented, and a blessing to others in the service for your Master and to mankind … with the Lord's help, you will be a success in whatever career you choose."  Wilma's life reflected those prophetic words as she spent her life serving her Master, Jesus Christ, and pouring love into the lives of others.

Wilma returned home to her Heavenly Father October 28, 2021. A life well lived.

Wilma McKee is preceded in death by her husband, R.F. (Stub) McKee, her sister, Clara Bartel, brother in-law Olen Bartel, brothers Harold and Clayton Entz, sisters in-law Gloria Jean Entz and Sherry Entz.  She is survived by one brother, Roy Entz of Muskogee, one sister-in-law, Edith Entz of Hydro, an adopted daughter, Elfrieda McKee and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be sent to Oklahoma Mennonite Retreat, c/o Bill Entz, 10178 CS 2460, Hydro, OK  73048.